Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has noted that Varun Chakravarthy loses control over length when he is under pressure. Chakravarthy hasn’t been at his best in the last three games, which are concerning signs for India.
The mystery spinner returned with figures of 1-40 in his quota of four overs against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday. Earlier, Chakravarthy returned with expensive figures of 1-47 in his four overs against South Africa. He bagged 1-35 against Zimbabwe in the Super 8 clash.
Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “As for Varun Chakaravarthy, I felt he would make a comeback on this pitch. But when he is put under a bit of pressure, it seems like he loses control over the length that usually works for him. The batters are playing him well and reading him properly. So now Varun Chakaravarthy will have to find a way to respond and work out a solution.”
Chakravarthy has scalped 12 wickets in seven matches of the ongoing T20I showpiece at an average of 15.33.
Meanwhile, Pathan praised Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy for using Axar Patel with guile.
“At the same time, Axar Patel was also used cleverly. Before the left-handers could come in, he bowled two overs in the powerplay, which was a very good tactical move. In fact, Axar’s economy rate was even better than Bumrah’s; his economy was the best. If the opposition scores 200 and you concede just 35 runs in four overs, even without taking a wicket, you have done a very good job.”
Pathan highlighted that the Indian team managed the game really well against the West Indies as SKY got Jasprit Bumrah into the attack at the right time against Shimron Hetmyer. Bumrah bagged two wickets in the 12th over he bowled, accounted for Hetmyer and Roston Chase.
“One more thing, the way Jasprit Bumrah was handled tactically. Suryakumar Yadav and the Indian team managed the game very well because using Bumrah is not an easy task. Ideally, you would want to give him the first over or the second over. But here, there were important match-ups to consider. Shimron Hetmyer is a powerful player and had already smashed 17 sixes before this game. The match-up against Bumrah was important because Bumrah had dismissed him five times before.”
“So they were waiting for that moment and planning the bowling accordingly. When Bumrah bowled one over in the powerplay and was then brought back against Shimron Hetmyer, he did not disappoint. There will surely be discussion about some decisions, but he once again put Hetmyer under pressure and delivered as expected,” he added.
Bumrah returned with figures of 2-36 in his quota of four overs. India will take on England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.
